Front wheel travel measurement

[X5chemist]

Does anyone know the tire center to center front measurement? Well, almost the center/height measurement. The body design will not allow it. So using a measuring tape on the back tire side and up to the lower front support, what is the across measurement? I'm waiting for more front end parts. In the meantime, I want to do a temporary string and tape measurement alignment. Struts are the only main suspension component left to replace. New struts will go on with new shafts. I'm confirming measurements with my brother. The rear measured 62 1/2" wide. The front as high as the measuring tape could go was 61 3/4" wide. The steering wheel is off center by a frog hair after replacing side control arms. A temporary alignment should help keep tires from wearing out too fast. Once a string alignment confirms which wheel is straightest, one or both tie rods will be adjusted to equal front and rear measurements.

[andrewwynn]

Track should be the same front and back so you can do a string alignment with wheels off or on. I used to do mine wheels on on the ground. Put the front wheels on two sheets of plastic with a spray of oil between: better than a ball bearing setup!

I would take a 2/32 spacer taped to the front edge of both front and back tires (at the fastest bulge) and dial in the toe to get the string perfectly straight (oh: 255 square setup).

It's 0.15° a bit aggressive toe in vs. maximum tire lifespan but I error a little toe in to avoid wandering feel if too straight forward.

I didn't bother with getting tge steering wheel straight just get the passenger front string straight with steering wheel then dial the driver wheel straight with the outer tie rod. Takes minutes.

[X5chemist]

Cool. For measuring close to 62", I'm surprised the OE struts are not that worn out. The arm bushings take more abuse. I'll set it up this week for an adjustment. I'll check the rear track while I'm at it too. I know the tire angle is almost 2 degrees on both sides. New shocks are ready to go on after new shafts.

Ok, another measurement. What are ground to wheel well measurements?

[andrewwynn]

Vary by model and tires. I came across a chart once for confirming if air springs are properly inflated and on my old car the scanner used to offer adjustment. The e70 just had an automatic procedure tossing 300# in and out of trunk while running the test procedure.